The Molting Man: Anasarca-Induced Full-Body Desquamation.

Blisters and subsequent desquamation of the skin in the presence of acute edema is a well-known clinical phenomenon. In this case report, we describe a new variant that we have termed anasarca-induced desquamation in a 50-year-old man with molting of the entire cutaneous surface after acute edema, in a setting of 40-lb weight gain over 5 days. Laboratory workup for infectious causes and punch biopsies of skin lesions ruled out Stevens-Johnson syndrome and staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, which have a similar clinical presentation to anasarca-induced desquamation. In patients with diffuse superficial desquamation in the setting of acute edema, anasarca-induced desquamation is worth investigating to avoid the use of corticosteroids and intravenous antibiotics in this inherently benign condition.

Nonuremic calciphylaxis triggered by rapid weight loss and hypotension.

Calciphylaxis is a potentially fatal disease caused by metastatic calcification of the small- and medium-sized blood vessels of the dermis and subcutis. It most commonly is seen in patients with renal disease requiring dialysis, but it also may be triggered by nonuremic causes in patients with known risk factors for calciphylaxis. We report a case of nonuremic calciphylaxis (NUC) occurring in the setting of multiple risk factors, including chronic corticosteroid use, obesity, rapid weight loss, and hypotension. A review of the literature also is provided with an in-depth discussion of the known risk factors and triggers of NUC.

A Comparison of Chest Compression Quality Delivered During On-Scene and Ground Transport Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

INTRODUCTION: American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines recommend cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) chest compressions 1.5 to 2 inches (3.75-5 cm) deep at 100 to 120 per minute. Recent studies demonstrated that manual CPR by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel is substandard. We hypothesized that transport CPR quality is significantly worse than on-scene CPR quality. METHODS: We analyzed adult patients receiving on-scene and transport chest compressions from nine EMS sites across Minnesota and Wisconsin from May 2008 to July 2010. Two periods were analyzed: before and after visual feedback. CPR data were collected and exported with the Zoll M series monitor and a sternally placed accelerometer measuring chest compression rate and depth. We compared compression data with 2010 AHA guidelines and Zoll RescueNet Code Review software. CPR depth and rate were "above (deep)," "in," or "below (shallow)" the target range according to AHA guidelines. We paired on-scene and transport data for each patient; paired proportions were compared with the nonparametric Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: In the pre-feedback period, we analyzed 105 of 140 paired cases (75.0%); in the post-feedback period, 35 of 140 paired cases (25.0%) were analyzed. The proportion of correct depths during on-scene compressions (median, 41.9%; interquartile range [IQR], 16.1-73.1) was higher compared to the paired transport proportion (median, 8.7%; IQR, 2.7-48.9). Proportions of on-scene median correct rates and transport median correct depths did not improve in the post-feedback period. CONCLUSION: Transport chest compressions are significantly worse than on-scene compressions. Implementation of visual real-time feedback did not affect performance.

Determinants of Success and Failure in Prehospital Endotracheal Intubation.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to identify factors associated with successful endotracheal intubation (ETI) by a multisite emergency medical services (EMS) agency. METHODS: We collected data from the electronic prehospital record for all ETI attempts made from January through May 2010 by paramedics and other EMS crew members at a single multistate agency. If documentation was incomplete, the study team contacted the paramedic. Paramedics use the current National Association of EMS Physicians definition of an ETI attempt (laryngoscope blade entering the mouth). We analyzed patient and EMS factors affecting ETI. RESULTS: During 12,527 emergent ambulance responses, 200 intubation attempts were made in 150 patients. Intubation was successful in 113 (75%). A crew with paramedics was more than three times as likely to achieve successful intubation as a paramedic/emergency medical technician-Basic crew (odds ratio [OR], 3.30; p=0.03). A small tube (≤7.0 inches) was associated with a more than 4-fold increased likelihood of successful ETI compared with a large tube (≥7.5 inches) (OR, 4.25; p=0.01). After adjustment for these features, compared with little or no view of the glottis, a partial or entire view of the glottis was associated with a nearly 13-fold (OR, 12.98; p=0.001) and a nearly 40-fold (OR, 39.78; p<0.001) increased likelihood of successful intubation, respectively. CONCLUSION: Successful ETI was more likely to be accomplished when a paramedic was partnered with another paramedic, when some or all of the glottis was visible and when a smaller endotracheal tube was used.

Prehospital peripheral intravenous vascular access success rates in children.

OBJECTIVE: Achieving successful peripheral intravenous (PIV) vascular access in children can be difficult. In the prehospital setting, opportunities are rare. Obtaining access becomes vital in emergent and life-threating conditions, such as seizures, hypoglycemia, and cardiac arrest. This study examines prehospital pediatric PIV attempts, success rates, and the impact of patient age. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of patients aged 18 years or younger receiving prehospital PIV attempts from January 1, 2003, through May 31, 2011. Included cases were identified by querying electronic patient care reports for PIV attempts within the specified age range. The documentation of PIV attempts and successes was reported by emergency medical service providers. This study was approved by an institutional review board. RESULTS: Throughout the 101-month study period, there were 261,008 ambulance responses. PIV attempts were made in 4188 patients aged 18 years or younger. PIV placement was successful in 3699 patients (88.3%) and failed in 489 (11.7%). Age was significantly associated with success. Each 1-year increase in age was associated with an 11% increase in odds of PIV success (odds ratio, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.09-1.12; p < 0.001). Success was lowest in patients younger than 2 years old, with an overall success rate of 64.1% (141/220). Accounting for multiple attempts, success was achieved in 53.0% of attempts (141/266). CONCLUSIONS: Prehospital PIV attempts are uncommon (2% of emergent responses). Success rates are significantly associated with patient age in the pediatric population and lowest in those aged 2 years or less. Consideration of alternative forms of vascular access in this population may be beneficial.

The Airtraq Optical Laryngoscope in helicopter emergency medical services: a pilot trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the degree of success helicopter emergency medical services personnel have in placing an endotracheal tube using a relatively new device for endotracheal intubation (ETI) known as the Airtraq (AT) Optical Laryngoscope (King Systems Corp, Noblesville, IN), and to determine the frequency with which flight crews had to resort to other means for advanced airway management. METHODS: This prospective, observational pilot trial evaluated the critical care flight team's ability to perform ETI using the AT as a first-line device in the prehospital setting. Flight crews were instructed to use the AT for any patient needing ETI. Teams completed a 30-minute training session followed by mannequin practice. They documented situations and outcomes: reason for ETI, success in placing the AT, reason for unsuccessful placement, end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration in expired air (ETCO2), and where patients were when they underwent intubation (field, ambulance, aircraft, hospital). Data were abstracted and analyzed using JMP software version 7.0 (SAS Institute, Inc, Cary, NC). RESULTS: Fifty cases involving use of the AT were analyzed. Median patient age was 51.5 years (range, 15-90; interquartile range, 36-64.5). Most patients were male (n = 37 [74%]). The primary reasons for intubation were unresponsiveness and altered loss of consciousness (n = 23 [46%]), respiratory distress or apnea (n = 8 [16%]), cardiac arrest (n = 10 [20%]), and combative behavior (n = 7 [14%]). AT was successful (n = 31[62%]) in 1 to 2 attempts. The primary reason for AT failure was blood or vomit in the airway (n = 8 [42.1%]); 48.1% (n = 25) of patients required a different management mode. CONCLUSIONS: HEMS crews had difficulty placing successful ET tubes with this device after minimal education with a single regular-sized device. Difficulty was pronounced when blood or vomit was present and obstructing the optical view. Further study is needed to evaluate the implementation time, training time required, and possible design advantages of the AT compared with those of traditional emergent airway management techniques.

Prehospital diagnosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction using an "all-posterior" 12-lead electrocardiogram.

A prehospital 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is commonly used for patients with suspected ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This case report describes how paramedics diagnosed inferior STEMI with all ECG leads positioned on a patient's back (i.e., "all-posterior" positioning). The patient was hemodynamically stable but morbidly obese and markedly diaphoretic. Owing to severe back pain, he refused to lie in the supine position for assessment or transport. At the emergency department, a 12-lead ECG with the patient in lateral recumbency confirmed the diagnosis of inferior STEMI. This case shows that an all-posterior 12-lead ECG can be used to identify STEMI when optimal patient positioning is not possible.